Shakes the Clown

Starring:Bruce Baum, Steve Bean, Julie Brown, Blake Clark, Eliza Coyle, Paul Dooley, Gerald F. Edelstein, Jack Gallagher (VI), Paige Gosney, Kathy Griffin, Florence Henderson, Scott Herriott, Melissa Hurley, Tim Kazurinsky, Tom Kenny, Paul Kozlowski, Jeremy Kramer (III), Sydney Lassick, Robin Williams
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Not a "Chick Flick" - Rude, Crude and Flat-out Hilarious
Shaky at Best
How to love a drunken clown
Great trans, REALLY fast shipping
good movie

Shakes the Clown
Starring: Bruce Baum , Steve Bean , Julie Brown , Blake Clark , and Eliza Coyle
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Black Comedy | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Freaked
Mixed Nuts
I Don't Mean to Insult You, But You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait
Dirty Work
Coneheads

ASIN: 0767837991
Release Date: 2000-04-04

Customer Reviews:

Not a "Chick Flick" - Rude, Crude and Flat-out Hilarious .......2007-06-27

A review quoted on the VHS box calls "Shakes" "the 'Citizen Kane' of alcoholic clown moves." With a rave like that, how can you go wrong, particularly if you're the type of person who loves coarse, scatological, and downright juvenile humor (as I unashamedly do)? Bobcat Goldthwaite turns in a bravura performance (he should, he wrote the screenplay) as a second-rate, besotted "party clown" with an attitude. When he's wrongfully framed for the murder of a promoter by his evil, clown rival, Binky, Shakes gets sober and mean and in touch with his inner Bozo to clear his name and bring rough justice. Julie "Downtown" Brown, plays his patient and ditzy-but-smarter than-her-man love interest. Cameos by Florence Henderson (think Mrs. Brady with running clown make-up after a one-nighter with Shakes), "Aunt Esther" from Sanford & Son (another clown lush with the raunchiest lines in the film), Robin Williams (appearing in the credits under the nom de guerre of "Marty Fromage" [heck, I'd be embarrassed, too] as a mime instuctor) lend "gravitas" to an otherwise lightweight cast. Said cast includes Adam Sandler, in a supporting role as a clown side-kick to Shakes. Who knew he would go on to win Drew Barrymore's heart playing the fool minus the red nose and white face as a wedding singer?

The "plot" (such as it is) takes place in - and the film's entire premise is - a clown "town" where virtually all the citizens are either party clowns, rodeo clowns or mimes. Rodeo clowns rule, while mimes are beaten up for sport by everyone else as the bottom of the clown heap. Now, you might ask yourself: "Is this supposed to be some form of 'deep social commentary' a la Werner Herzog's 'Even Dwarfs Started Small'?" Get real! There is zero in this film that any sane person could, should or would take seriously. But that's the charm.

Confidentially, I've always found clowns to be sinister, hidden-agenda types; but "Shakes" was right up my rat-infested, garbage-strewn alley, AND it cured me of my clown hang-ups. I have foisted it, reverentially but insistently, on many a friend -- some of whom actually remained friends after they watched "Shakes". So waste a few bucks and a perfectly good evening. And it helps to be half in the bag yourself. Cult classic, indeed.

Shaky at Best.......2007-06-10

Two stars because there's some good stuff in here. What a shame not to capitalize on such a brilliant opportunity for comedy. Some of the good gags show the potential for what could have been one of the funniest movies ever made. This concept is so fertile that the producers should have hired a team of writers to support Bobcat's script. Too bad, Bobcat could have knocked it out of the park with this one. One viewing is enough for me. Even so, there are scenes I'll never forget. Worth the effort of re-make. Maybe next time they'll use some former Seinfeld writers.

How to love a drunken clown.......2007-04-04

One of my favorite movies on Laser disk starred Bobcat Goldthwait and Julie Brown, with an un-credited appearance by Robin Williams. Finally, Shakes the Clown is available on DVD. I was disappointed with the deleted scenes, and lack of 5.1 surround sound; but still, from the opening scene of a boy pissing on Shakes' face, to the final pandemonium in the television studio, Shakes the Clown is a funny, sometimes outstanding, look at the world of, well, drunken clowns! My favorite part has to do with the intense hatred the clowns harbor for mimes,(I mean, really, who needs 'em!). The fight scene in the park, with the shout "Learn to Talk", is priceless. The obvious discomfort when Shakes must pose as a mime to avoid arrest is also a blast! Over all, although somewhat dated in relevance, Shakes the Clown is a movie I would strongly recommend to anyone who,you know, hates clowns. And anyone else over 14!

Great trans, REALLY fast shipping.......2007-03-09

Got the video long before other items ordered from separate vendors in same transaction. Condition as promised. All around good process

good movie.......2007-01-18

great condition. Hard to find dvd around here so I am glad to have found it on Amazon.

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